Loose Lugs Disqualify Heim From Charlotte Truck Race

Corey Heim in action Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Jacob Seelman photo)

CONCORD, N.C. – Though he finished first in both stages and was the second truck across the finish line Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Corey Heim had to endure the disappointment of a post-race disqualification from the North Carolina Education Lottery 200.

Heim, a three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner this season, led 72 of the first 84 laps but had to fight back in the final 50 laps after a broken jack relegated him deep in the field.

The 21-year-old from Marietta, Ga., rallied from 27th to fourth before the final yellow flag waved with 15 laps left when Chase Purdy hit the wall with a flat right-front tire.

Heim came down pit road and took four fresh tires, but his left-rear tire changer appeared distraught as the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro pulled away, knowing that at least one lug nut was missing on the race’s dominant truck.

After powering his way from 11th to second during a nine-lap sprint to the checkered flag, Heim’s truck was stripped of its finishing position and stage points due to three lug nuts that were “not safe and secure” by the definition of NASCAR officials.

By the NASCAR Rule Book, Heim was dropped to last – 36th – in the finishing order and lost the regular season point lead to Christian Eckes as a result.

It was a gut punch for the Truck Series’ most consistent team so far this year, as well as just the second finish outside the top 10 for Heim in 11 races.

“Obviously, an eventful day for us and not how we wanted it to end,” said Heim. “Just, I feel like [the race] got away from us on separate occasions there. We had control of the race … but as soon as you don’t, we were just victim to the leader. He can control the air, and Nick (Sanchez) did a great job at blocking my air the best he could. Props to him – he did a great job.

“I thought we had the best truck by a long shot, but behind the leader you couldn’t do much,” he continued. “I feel like we were able to get through traffic so well. I’m glad we could make it entertaining at least, but it really doesn’t matter when you finish second. A huge thank you to TRICON Garage for this bullet. I feel like we were so good today – just a super disappointing outcome, to say the least.”

Heim leaves Charlotte four points behind Eckes in the battle for the regular season championship. Five races remain before the playoff reset for the Truck Series.

Heim and the rest of the Truck Series field will head next to World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., on Saturday, June 1 for the Toyota 200 at the 1.25-mile oval near St. Louis.

Coverage of the event kicks off at 1:30 p.m. ET, live on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.